VATICAN CITY -- President Barack Obama and the Vatican gave distinctly different accounts of the
president's audience with Pope Francis, with Obama stressing their common ground over issues of
poverty and inequality and Vatican officials emphasizing sharp differences over abortion and birth
control.

Obama described himself as "incredibly moved" by his nearly hour-long session with the
popular pontiff. He said the two spent the most time discussing the plight of the poor and the
marginalized as well as regions of conflict and the elusive nature of peace around the world.

The Vatican, in statement shortly after the conclusion of the meeting, said discussions
centered on questions of "particular relevance for the church in that country, such as the exercise
of the rights to religious freedom, life and conscientious objection" - issues that have fueled
divisions between Obama and Catholics in the U.S.

But Obama said those discussions took place with the Vatican Secretary of State Pietro
Parolin, not with Francis. Issues like contraception and religious freedom, Obama said, "really was
not a topic of conversation" with the pope.

"I was grateful to have the opportunity to speak with him about the responsibilities that we
all share to care for the least of these, the poor, the excluded," Obama said during a news
conference with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Rome. "And I was extremely moved by his insights
about the importance of us all having a moral perspective on world problems and not simply thinking
in terms of our own narrow self-interests."

The marked difference in emphasis introduced a perplexing element to the long-anticipated
meeting, which the White House has looked forward to as way to validate Obama's economic policies.
But in a report on Vatican Radio the day before the meeting, the Vatican signaled that the divisive
issues would indeed be on the agenda.